Universal selective landing nipple and selector tool



cs. M. RAULINS 3,105,549

'UNIVERSAL SELECTIVE LANDING NIPPLE AND SELECTOR TOOL Oct. 1, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1961 INVEN TOR.

BY gQ/ LL7 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,105,549 UNIVERdAL SELECTIVE LANDING NIPPLE AND SELECTOR TOOL George M. Raulins, Houston, Tex, assignor to Cameo, Incorporated, Houston, Tex, a corporation of Texas Filed Jan. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 85,263 Claims. (Cl. 166-65) This invention relates to well working equipment and more particularly to an improved self contained tool to be run by wire line suspension within a string of well tubing and to be signaled into operation at a selected depth. In a specific embodiment, there is contemplated a tubing string having a number of spaced apart signaling stations, each in the nature or" a magnetic field, and a co-operating tool to be passed within the tubing and to have a field influenced device which controls a working operation but is inefiective until an arming mechanism is mechanically positioned for conditioning a work signaling electric circuit for completion upon response of the control device to the field of a signaling station next traversed by [the tool in its travel through the tubing.

In the self contained unit to be described, an explosive charge is electrically fired to furnish work performing energy and the electric circuitry includes a battery, a magnetic field influenced switch, an arming switch and a relay unit coil, all in series connected relation so that when both switches are closed, the relay directs current to fire the charge. For safety purposes, the arming switch is responsive to downhole environmental conditions such as well pressure forces but additionally the arming switch is releasably latched against closing initially and throughout tool descent. The arming switch is arranged to be unlatched upon upward tool travel by reason of retarding engagement with the tubing string of a releasing tripper or tubing clutchable finger. Thereafter the work performing operation will occur upon concurrent closing of both switches.

An object of the invention is to provide a self contained tool to be actuated for the performance of work at any selected one of an unlimited number of preset depth locations within a well tubing string, with such locations being constituted by tubing nipples or special tubing sections incorporating signaling means identical to one another at each station and whose signals are sensed during tool traverse thereof but are ineffective to complete a control circuit until the tool has been first conditioned for a working response by a given mechanical manipulation of the tool.

A further object of the invention is to provide a selectively operable tool for use in a tubing string having a number of spaced apart stations certain of which involve magnetic marker means afiording like zones of inwardly protruding magnetic fields and others of whichare downwardly facing stop abutments, and wherein the tool embodies a magnetic field detector for closing a first switch in a control circuit and also embodies a second switch in series circuit with the first switch and latched against circuit closing position until released by stop engagement of a tripper finger with one of the downwardly facing stop abutments during tool elevation, whereupon the tool is conditioned for performance of work coincident to the concurrent closing of both switches.

For a fuller explanation, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGS. 1 and 2 are vertical sectional views schematically illustrating tubing strings with the improved tool in different co-operative relations thereto; FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram and F163. 4A and 4B are companion views showing in vertical section the detail tool structure.

3,165,549 Patented Oct. 1, 1963 ponents of the tool. The switch blade of the relay unit 1.

is shown in safety grounded position in a firing circuit connection with the detonator 2 by which an explosive charge is to be ignited. Firing of the charge will be by current supplied by a battery 3 when the relay switch closes upon current flow in a control circuit from a battery 4 through the relay coil having the condenser 5 associated therewith and being in series connection with each of a pair of separate switches 6 and 7, both illustrated in normally open positions. Upon tool descent a tubing stn'ng having magnetic markers therein, the switch 6 will be closed by a suitable magneto device or field sensing element as each marker field is traversed but closing of the switch 6 by itself is inefiective on the relay 1. The normally open switch 7 is to be closed following a mechanical manipulation of the tool, as will be described, and when closed, it serves to arm or condition the control circuit for completion upon the next closing action at the switch 6.

Firing of the explosive charge supplies an expanding gas force which can be harnessed for accomplishment of many well working jobs such as perforating, setting a latched-in hanger, introducing inhibitor and various other conventional operations. By way of example, the lower end of the hollow tool body 8 in FIG. 1 encloses a chamber closed by an ejectable plug 9 which is anchored to the body 8 by a shearable pin 19 and confines an inhibitor fiuid below a slidable piston 11. Initially, the piston 11 is in the upper end of the chamber and just below an' explosive charge 12 so that when the charge is ignited the gases generated exert downward force on the piston and the confined liquid, causing the pin 10 to be sheared and the plug and liquid to be blown out of the tool, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

In these FIGS. 1 and 2, joints 13 of tubing are coupled in end to end succession by collars 14 and each collar co-operates with the spaced apart edges of adjoining tubing joints in providing an internal annular recess. These recesses may be utilized according to the present invention as stations with which the wire line tool can cooperate. Certain of the annular grooves are employed as receiving locators for annular bands 15 of nonmagnetic material and each such band will constitute the mounting for a permanent magnet or magnets 16, which will provide an adjoining magnetic field. Preferably, the magnetic field is provided by the relatively thin discs or plugs of magnetic material spaced apart circularly and in upper and lower rows. The poles of those magnets in one row at the centermost end faces are opposite in polarity from those of the magnets in the other row. In other words, if the innermost end faces of the magnets in the upper row are considered as presenting north poles, then the corresponding inner faces of the magnets in the lower row would be arranged to present south poles. Strong magnetic fields are effectively provided between such poles and protrude inwardly of the annular tubing wall. When any such magnetic field is traversed by the magneto device for the switch 6, the resultant response .will be to close the switch.

At each of the coupling collars 14 whose interior groove is not occupied by a magnet unit, there will occur the interiorly exposed downwardly facing edge portion 17 of the uppermost of the joined tubes. This end face .is here utilized as a stop abutment by which a latching finger can cooperate for controlling the arming switch 7. Initially, the arming switch 7 is latched in open position and is so held by a pivoted finger 18 so long as the finger is retained, as by means of a shearable pin 19, in a position to extend upwardly and outwardly beyond one side of the tool body 8. This latched position will enable the a tool to be lowered in the well tubing with the arming switch remaining in open position. During descent, the latch finger 18 will ride on the interior tubing wall surface. When it is desired to arm the tool, further descent of the tool will be stopped at a point either above or below a magnetically marked station at which the work is to be performed. Then a rereeling of the wire line slowly will allow the free end of the pivoted finger 18 to cooperate with the internal groove at the next coupling collar 14 and to come into stop engagement at the abutment 17. An upward force or jar on the tool will cause the shear pin 19 to break for lowering the finger 13. Thereafter, the arming switch 7 will respond and reach its closed position and when that occurs, the tool then can have its position shifted so as to complete the control circuit by bringing the magneto device into relation to be influenced by the next adjacent magnetic field.

The detail of p the releasably latched arming switch mechanism will be better appreciated from an inspection of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Here it will be seen that the several components for controlling the firing of the charge 12 are contained within a sealed and leakproof chamber of the hollow tool body 3. For convenience, the batteries 3 and 4, the condenser 5, the relay 1 and the arming switch 7 are joined in subassem'bly relation by a tie strap 38 and they are interconnected by suitable conductor wiring in the circuit relationship diagrammed in FIG. 3. For facilitating assembly, the hollow tool body 8 is made up as a series of detachable sections with suitable O-"ing seals in the joints so that the chamber space will remain at atmospheric pressure and be unaflected by downhole Well pressures.

In slightly spaced relation with the upper end of a depressible button 39 for actuating, the arming switch 7, is the head of an adjustable screw stud 2% at the lower end of a reciprocatory plunger 21 which is normally urged upwardly by a surrounding coil spring 22 housed in an upper section of the body 8. The plunger has an annular external groove to receive an O-ring 23 slidably engageable with the tool body as a seal against pressure fluid leakage in either direction along the plunger 21. At its upper end, the plunger has an axially elongated slot 24 aligned with a similar slot 25 in the tool body 8 and these slots receive the pivoted finger 18. When this finger 18 is positioned by the frangible pin 19 in its upwardly and outwardly inclined position, it will be near the upper limit of the slots 24 and 25. A slight amount of slot clearance will afford a limited upward swinging movement of the pivoted finger as may be desirable in passing obstructions during tool descent in a tubing string. In this position as held by the pin 19, the plunger 21 cannot be depressed to an extent that the adjustable contact. screw 20 will engage and transmit downward force to the switch button 39. This is the relationship of the parts until the tool has been lowered to the predetermined or desired depth in a well tubing string. After an upward jarring force has released the finger 18 by removing the blocking pin 19, the finger no longer will be effective against closing of the switch 7. The well fluids within which the tool is then submerged can act on the upwardly facing surfaces of the plunger 2 to overcome the force of the spring 22 and depress the switch button 39 for closing the switch 7 and conditioning the control circuit for completion whenever the magneto actuated switch 6 closes. Thus environmental conditions within the well are relied on for closing the switch 7 and the closure response can be by reason of pressure fluids, as previously described, or by devices responsive to given temperatures or other surrounding conditions which are adaptable for the purpose.

In greater detail, the magnetic field influenced switch 6 here illustrated for disclosure purposes, involves a pair of vertically spaced apart pole pieces or rings 2625 with spacer blocks 27 supporting a shaft on which is pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis a swinging magnet carrying a switch contact normally open in relation to a mating contact and which pivoted magnet in response to the influence thereon of a magnetic field supplied by the tubing string carried magnets 16, will swing into contact closing relation.

Instead of mounting the magnet carrying ring 15 between adjoining ends of a pair of tubing joints, a fragment of a special nipple 28 is seen in FIG. 4B for connection as a portion of the tubing string at selected intervals and each such nipple is provided with a counterbored upper end for reception of the magnet mounting ring -15. A spacer ring 29 and a spring snap ring 30 detachably engaged with the nipple hold the magnet ring 15 in position. Each such nipple is also provided in longitudinally spaced relation to the magnet ring 15 with an internal annular recess 3-1 which provides a downwardly facing shoulder 32. Such recess 31 conveniently affords a latch keeper for a tool hanger in the event it is desirable to place in the well tubing any of the conventional tools such as a flow control device. The downwardly facing shoulder 32 of the keeper notch will co-operate with the conventional hanger latch for retention of the hanger. 'In addition, this downwardly facing shoulder 32 can also provide a stop abutment for co-operation with the pivoted finger 18 when the control circuit of the herein described running tool is to be conditioned for a work performing operation upon the subsequent completion of the circuit through the magnetically influenced switch 6.

A set screw 33 for optional use in holding the plunger 21 in either a safety out or switch-off position or a depressed and switch arming position, is shown in FIG. 4A screw threaded in a lateral port of the tool body side wall and in an inoperative relation to the plunger. While the tool is in storage or in transit, the set screw 33 may be adjusted inwardly into holding contact with the side of the upwardly biased plunger 21 and resist its unintentional and accidental depression to a position in which the arming switch 7 is closed. When the tool is ready to be introduced and run into a tubing string, the set screw 33 should be removed or threaded back out of interference with subsequent pressure fluid depression of the plunger. Alternately, if a well tubing string has but one magnetic field or has its uppermost field at a location where work is to be performed, and if reliance is not to be placed on the existence of suificient well pressure 'to actuate the plunger, then the shear pin 19 is omitted and the plunger is manually depressed just before entering the tubing string so as to close the arming switch arid bring an external keeper groove provided by a necked portion of the plunger into alignment with the set screw, which on being threaded inwardly, fits or has interlocking reception within the groove for maintaining the arming switch closed. This will condition the circuit for automatic completion when tool descent brings the switch 6 into the influence of a tubing carried magnetic field for signaling the performance of work.

*For the intended use of the tool in a tubing string having a series of identical field stations, the arming switch 7 will be initially latched open by the pivoted finger 18 and releasable shear pin 19. As the tool body is then lowered within the wellhole and passes each inwardly protruding magnetic field of the identical stations, the magnetically actuated switch 6 will respond to the field signal but such response is ineffective because the arming switch 7 maintains a circuit-open relationship. On reaching selected well depth, the wire line suspension equipment will be manipulated for stopping further descent and reversing the direction of tool travel. As the tool is elevated, the free end of the pivoted finger 18 will move outwardly into the next internal notch 31 as the finger comes into alignment with the notch and then will be stopped by abutment with the downwardly facing shoulder 32 (or 17, as the case may be). Continued upward manipulation or jarring of the tool body while the finger is so stopped imposes shearing force on the releasable pin 19 and frees the anoaeae finger 18 from further interference with plunger movement. ;The released plunger 21 can now respond to downhole fluid pressure for depression and closure of the switch 7 to arm the circuit. Further wire line manipulation for tool travel, either upwardly or downwardly as a matter of choice, will cause the magnetically operated switch 6 to traverse or be presented within the next adjoining magnetic field station, and switch response in this instance completes the circuit to the relay coil for eflecting relay action and release of working energy, as by firing the combustible charge.

It is to be understood that the structural embodiment of the invention as specifically described is capable of various modifications and changes Within the scope of appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a selectively controlled well working tool to be mechanically lowered and raised within a tubing string having a series of vertically spaced apart signaling stations, a tool body, initially inactive work performing means carried by the body, power supply means for actuation of said work performing means, first and second control switches coupled in circuit series relation with each other and with the power supply means and said work performing means to actuate the latter when both control switches are concurrently closed station signal influenced means connected with the first control switch and active to close the same on traverse of each station, activating means responsive to subsurface environment and positioned by the tool body to efiect closing of the second control switch and mechanical means initially blocking activation of the activating means and being undisturbed by lowering the tool in a tubing string to a region below a selected one of said signal stations but responsive to the raising of the tool from said region to condition said activating means for activation.

2. A selectively controlled W611 working tool for travel within a tubing string which has a series of vertically spaced apart signaling stations each arranged to impress a signal on the tool upon tool traverse thereof, said tool including a body having means for lowering and raising the body in a tubing string, an initially inactive work performing mechanism carried by the body, actuating means for said mechanism, a first control for said means responsive to the signals of stations traversed thereby, a second control and responsive to well fluid pressure coupled in series relation with the first control for rendering said actuating means eflective upon concurrent responses of both controls and means releasably maintaining the second control in an initially inactive condition and having a part for co-operation with the tubing string upon given tool manipulation in a region of the tubing string adjacent any station selectively for releasing said second control from its inactive condition.

3. A selectively controlled well working tool for travel within a tubing string which has a series of vertically spaced apart stations, certain thereof providing a plurality of vertically spaced apart inwardly protruding magnetic fields and others providing a plurality of vertically spaced apart internal stop abutment faces, said tool comprising a body having means for lowering and raising the body in a tubing string, a magnetic field influenced switch carried by the body and adapted to be closed upon traverse of any magnetic field station, a second switch carried by the body in circuit closing series connection with the field influenced switch, releasable means initially holding open said second switch and projecting from the body for stop abutment co-operation with an abutment face traversed by the body upon upward travel thereof from a selected depth in the tubing string to release the hold-open relation of the second switch and work performing means carried by the body and responsive to concurrent closure of both switches.

4. In a selectively controlled well working tool to be mechanically lowered and raised within a tubing string having means providing a series of vertically spaced apart inwardly protruding magnetic fields, a tool body, an electrically controlled work performing device carried by the body, a set of switches to be closed independently of one another and to complete a circuit to said device upon concurrent closure of the independent switches, means responsive to magnetic fields traversed by the tool for efifecting activation of one of said switches, an operating element for closing the other of said switches in response to subsurface fiuid pressure and means for controlling said concurrent activation on traverse of any selected magnetic field and comprising a tubing string engageable member initially holding the pressure responsive element against switch closing operation and being adapted for release through tubing string engagement in the upward travel of the tool.

5. In a selectively controlled well working tool for travel within a tubing string having means providing a series of longitudinally spaced apart magnetic fields, a tool body, electrically responsive work performing means carried by the body, a pair of separately operated switches coupled in series relation to complete a current supply circuit to said working means when both switches are closed, magnetic field responsive means for closing one of said switches, fluid pressure responsive means for closing the other of said switches, a tubing string engageable contact member having interlocking relation with the last mentioned means and releasably connected with said body in initial position to retain said last mentioned means against pressure fluid actuation and thereby control concurrent switch closing upon response of said field responsive means to a selected magnetic field, said contact member being shiftable upon the application thereon of a force in a given direction to release its connection with the body and break its retention of said fluid pressure responsive means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,327,658 Miller Aug. 24, 1943 2,494,256 Muskat et al. Jan. 10, 1950 2,544,979 Brokaw et a1 Mar. 13, 1951 2,614,633 Broyles Oct. 21, 1952 2,644,519 Konady July 7, 1953 2,711,879 Ring June 28, 1955 2,844,357 Ring July 22, 1958 2,883,932 Caldwell Apr. 28, 1959 3,027,944 Feeser Apr. 3, 1962 3,032,111 Corley et al May 1, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,236,712 France June 13, 1960 

1. IN A SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED WELL WORKING TOOL TO BE MECHANICALLY LOWERED AND RAISED WITHIN A TUBING STRING HAVING A SERIES OF VERTICALLY SPACED APART SIGNALING STATIONS, A TOOL BODY, INITIALLY INACTIVE WORK PERFORMING MEANS CARRIED BY THE BODY, POWER SUPPLY MEANS FOR ACTUATION OF SAID WORK PERFORMING MEANS, FIRST AND SECOND CONTROL SWITCHES COUPLED IN CIRCUIT SERIES RELATION WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE POWER SUPPLY MEANS AND SAID WORK PERFORMING MEANS TO ACTUATE THE LATTER WHEN BOTH CONTROL SWITCHES ARE CONCURRENTLY CLOSED STATION SIGNAL INFLUENCED MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE FIRST CONTROL SWITCH AND ACTIVE TO CLOSE THE SAME ON TRAVERSE OF EACH STATION, ACTIVATING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENT AND POSITIONED BY THE TOOL BODY TO EFFECT CLOSING OF THE SECOND CONTROL SWITCH AND MECHANICAL MEANS INITIALLY BLOCKING ACTIVATION OF THE ACTIVATING MEANS AND BEING UNDISTURBED BY LOWERING THE TOOL IN A TUBING STRING TO A REGION BELOW A SELECTED ONE OF SAID SIGNAL STATIONS BUT RESPONSIVE TO THE RAISING OF THE TOOL FROM SAID REGION TO CONDITION SAID ACTIVATING MEANS FOR ACTIVATION. 